Nova Scotia Creative Industries Fund
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Up to $30,000 (50% of eligible costs) for Nova Scotia creative businesses and non-profits to build export capacity. Supports fashion/design, screen, music, performing arts, fine craft, visual arts, and publishing sectors with marketing, export development, and international market access.
Eligibility Requirements
- Nova Scotia-based creative business or non-profit
- Operating in fashion/design, screen, music, performing arts, fine craft, visual arts, or publishing
- Project must focus on export capacity building
- Must provide 50% matching funds
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $30,000 (50% of eligible costs)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Annual deadline (typically December)
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time. Unlock with Premium →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipApplications that demonstrate concrete international market opportunities (confirmed trade show participation, international buyer interest, or distribution agreements) are far stronger than general 'we want to export' pitches. Include specific target markets and revenue projections.
See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it. Unlock with Premium →
Success Profile
Creative businesses with an existing product or service ready for export, a clear target international market, and a track record of domestic sales. Music acts with international touring plans, craft businesses targeting US retail markets, and film producers with international co-production deals are typical successful applicants.
See what successful applicants for this program actually look like. Unlock with Premium →
Evaluation Criteria
Five dimensions: (1) Export readiness — fully developed marketable product/service/IP with evidence of domestic success; (2) Export strategy specificity — named target markets, specific activities (events, buyers), validation evidence; (3) Budget credibility — 50% match confirmed, costs reasonable; (4) NS economic benefit — revenue flowing back to NS economy, employment impact; (5) Applicant track record — prior international activity or market development capacity. First-time applicants can succeed if export strategy is specific and product is market-ready.
See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus. Unlock with Premium →
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 12
- Trade show and market attendance (SXSW, MIPCOM, MIDEM, Salon du Livre, New York NOW, etc.)
- In-market travel to promote products/services in international markets
- International buyer meetings and B2B industry events
- Market intelligence: paid research, analysis, international lead generation
- Digital marketing strategies targeted at external markets
- Branding or rebranding for international market positioning
- E-commerce platform development or enhancement for international customers
- Marketing materials: design and printing (capped at 30% of total eligible costs)
- EDI activities: community consultation and engagement
- International distribution agreement negotiation (legal fees tied to market entry)
- Business and strategic plan development (Development Stream non-profits)
- Export market development planning (Development Stream)
Ineligible Expenses 8
- Digital animation production activities
- Activities already funded by other NS Dept. of Communities Culture Tourism and Heritage programs for the same project
- Activities already funded by Arts Nova Scotia for the same project
- Activities already funded by Invest Nova Scotia Export Development Program for the same project (mutually exclusive)
- Pure creation/production costs (recording, filming, manufacturing — the product development itself)
- Domestic-only marketing with no international market component
- Capital equipment and instrument purchases
- Ongoing operational costs (rent, standard administrative salaries)
Intake Periods
Annual intake with December 1 deadline (typically). Program has run annually since 2016. Contact [email protected] in October–November to confirm current year's deadline.
Deadline Notes
Annual intake with deadline typically in December. Check program website for exact dates each year.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Organizations based outside Nova Scotia
- Organizations working in sectors other than fashion/design, screen, music, performing arts, fine craft, visual arts, or publishing
- Organizations whose proposed activities are purely domestic with no international export component
- Organizations whose project activities are already funded by other NSCCH programs, Arts NS, or Invest NS EDP for the same activities
Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare. Unlock with Premium →
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskLow. Contribution agreement terms require use of funds for approved activities. Funds used for ineligible purposes are recoverable. Main risk is failure to complete approved activities or missing reporting deadlines.
See which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How Nova Scotia Creative Indust... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia Creative Industries Fund | Up to $30,000 | Easy | Reimbursement | Annual deadline... |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Annual intake window.... |
| Canada Council for the Arts Grants | Varies | Moderate | Milestone-Based | Ongoing (various... |
| Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit | 25% of eligible BC | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
| Creative Industries Funding | Varies | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing (multiple... |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for